The Learning Resources Center will continue to service our students’ needs for tutoring in person and online. Attached you will find the tutoring schedule for Multimedia.
Online Tutoring
Please have students’ use their CUNYfirst login credentials (ex. Jane.Doe11@login.cuny.edu) to access Upswing and schedule an online appointment with a tutor at bmcc.upswing.io.
Are you always drawing, illustrating, designing, or creating original artwork?
The BMCC Office for Institutional Advancement is seeking a student artist or designer to create an original piece of artwork for communications sent to BMCC donors and supporters. The project will be coordinated by Jennifer Towles, Director of Major Gifts in the Office for Institutional Advancement at BMCC.
This is an opportunity to:
Have your work published by the college
Receive credit as the creator
Add a real-world project to your portfolio and résumé
The office is looking for original illustration and/or graphic design work. Students will develop their own concepts and work through a professional review and feedback process.
Project Details
Final size: 5.5″ × 8.5″
Portrait or landscape orientation
May include wording such as “Thank You” or “Happy Holidays,” along with the BMCC logo (Prof. Esquirol can provide that to selected students)
The student creator will be credited
Interested?
Email Jennifer Towles (jtowles [at] bmcc [dot] cuny [dot] edu) and Prof. Esquirol (jesquirol [at] bmcc [dot] cuny [dot] edu) by October 15 with:
A brief note of interest
A concept sketch, or
An example of original artwork you have already created that you believe could be adapted for this project
If you are proposing an existing artwork of yours, please include a short explanation of how you envision it being used or modified for this donor communication.
Questions?
Questions about design, illustration, typography, file preparation, production requirements, or other technical aspects of the project should be directed to Prof. Esquirol (email above). Jennifer Towles (email above) will be reviewing concepts from the perspective of donor engagement and the goals of the Office for Institutional Advancement rather than providing technical design feedback.
It is time to dig into Assignment #2! Lets discuss it and share some insights and information! Please refer to the Assignment #2 page for the assignment specifications – this post will help with the process!
Creating a logo for a nonprofit organization requires a balance of creativity, clarity, and strategic thinking. Unlike corporate logos that often prioritize marketability, nonprofit logos must embody a mission-driven message, fostering trust, recognition, and emotional connection. This post walks through the process of designing a nonprofit logo and symbol system, incorporating historical influences from legendary designers and best practices in branding.
Historical Influences in Logo Design
Before diving into the design process, it’s helpful to look at iconic designers who have shaped the field of branding and logo design:
Paul Rand – Known for timeless and simple logos, Rand’s work (IBM, ABC, UPS) demonstrates the power of minimalism and clarity in branding. (Learn more: Paul Rand’s Legacy)
Saul Bass – Famous for expressive and symbolic logos, Bass’s work (AT&T, United Way, Girl Scouts) showcases how visual elements can communicate deep meaning. (Explore: Saul Bass’s Portfolio)
Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv – This studio is behind some of the most recognized modern corporate identities, such as the logos for National Geographic, PBS, and the U.S. Open. Their work exemplifies adaptability and bold simplicity. (See: Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv)
A recent one: Mozilla (2017) ->
Mozilla, the not-for-profit behind Firefox, rebranded with the London studio Johnson Banks, and they did it in the open. The design routes were posted publicly and people commented on them while the work was still in progress, before the final logo was chosen. The case study walks through strategy, the first design approaches, the final logo, a custom typeface called Zilla, and how the whole system fits together. It is the process in Steps 1 through 6 below, happening in public!
Before sketching concepts, it’s crucial to understand the nonprofit’s mission, target audience, and values. Ask the following:
What is the organization’s core purpose?
Who does it serve?
What emotions should the logo evoke?
How will the logo be used (print, web, merchandise)?
Example: If designing for an environmental nonprofit, the logo should convey sustainability, nature, and harmony.
Step 2: Conceptual Sketching
Using the research insights, start brainstorming visual ideas:
Experiment with symbols and typography that align with the nonprofit’s message.
Sketch multiple rough variations to explore different directions.
Consider universal design principles like balance, symmetry, and negative space.
Tip: Many successful nonprofit logos use simple, bold icons that are easy to recognize at a glance (e.g., WWF’s panda (above), Red Cross’s emblem).
Step 3: Digital Development
After refining sketches, translate the best concepts into digital form using vector software like Adobe Illustrator.
Key Considerations:
Scalability: Ensure the logo maintains clarity from large billboards to small app icons.
Legibility: Choose fonts and icons that are readable across different media.
Color Psychology: Select colors that reinforce the nonprofit’s identity (e.g., blue for trust, green for nature, red for urgency/action).
Deliverables: Create 3–5 logo variations to test different styles and refine the best one.
Step 4: Testing & Adaptability
Test how the logo appears in different applications:
Business cards
Websites & social media
Merchandise (T-shirts, mugs, tote bags)
Signage & event materials
Make adjustments based on feedback to optimize readability, contrast, and usability.
Step 5: Refinement & Finalization
Gather feedback from classmates and refine the design:
Adjust spacing, proportions, or typography if needed.
Ensure the final logo works in full color and black-and-white.
Finalize the best version and prepare the necessary files (AI, PDF, PNG, SVG) for professional use.
Step 6: Brand Usage Guide Submission
The final step is compiling a 1–2 page brand/style guide that may include:
Logo variations (primary, secondary, monochrome)
Color palette with HEX, RGB, CMYK codes
Typography guidelines
Clear space and minimum size requirements
Do’s and don’ts of logo usage
Final Submission: Upload the vector files (the “ai”- adobe illustrator files) to your Google Drive folder for easy access. 🙂
A well-designed nonprofit logo is more than just an aesthetic mark—it’s a visual representation of the organization’s mission and impact. By following a structured design process and learning from historical influences, designers can craft meaningful and adaptable brand identities that resonate with audiences.
Need more inspiration? Check out the archives of AIGA’s Logo Design Gallery (AIGA Design Archives) for award-winning nonprofit branding examples.
Assignment #1 – let us discuss – and get familiar with our class this week.
Designing for Impact: Creating a Social Issue Awareness Poster
Posters have long been a powerful tool for social change, used to educate, inspire, and provoke action. Whether addressing climate change, mental health awareness, or equality, graphic designers play a crucial role in shaping public discourse through visual communication.
Let us explore how to create an impactful social issue awareness poster, drawing inspiration from historical design movements and modern examples.
The Power of Posters in Social Movements
From wartime propaganda to contemporary activism, posters have been central to mobilizing change. Some of the most influential social posters include:
Black/White: Stark contrast for powerful, minimal designs
3. Digital Draft: Bringing It to Life
Use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, (or draw by hand, useProcreate, sketchbook or adobe fresco) to create a digital draft. Test different compositions, focusing on:
✅ Visual Hierarchy: The most important element should grab attention first.
✅ Alignment & Spacing: Avoid clutter—let your design breathe.
✅ Contrast & Readability: Ensure text is legible from a distance.
4. Feedback & Refinement: Test Your Design
Before finalizing,
Ask:
Does the message come across clearly?
Is the color scheme effective?
Does the typography enhance or distract from the message?
5. Final Execution: Polish & Prepare for Print
Once refined, export your poster from Adobe Illustrator as a high-resolution (300 DPI) PDF with proper CMYK color settings for print. I will also show you how to export a .JPG file.
Mockups Matter!
Present your work using real-world mockups (e.g., posters on a subway wall, billboards, or community boards) to show its impact.
Your social issue awareness poster has the potential to make an impact beyond the classroom. Whether exhibited in a gallery, shared on social media, or printed for protests, design can drive change.
